A Discourse analysis of Human interaction archive data

[Audio] This presentation explores the discourse analysis of Meghan Markle's interview with Oprah Winfrey, focusing on themes of racism and royal relationships. The analysis delves into how language reveals underlying social dynamics and power structures within the British monarchy and media narratives. It sets the stage for understanding the complex interactions and public perceptions shaped by this high-profile interview..

[Audio] The research centered on Oprah interview with Meghan and Harry, which aired in March 2021 and sparked widespread discussion on racism, media behaviour and mental health. Using conversational and pragmatic discourse analysis, the student examines how language constructs meaning, identity, and power relations, providing insight how public narratives are formed and challenged through the interview..

[Audio] The Research Question is How Meghan, Prince Harry and Oprah use conversation to discuss racism and relationships, revealing how personal experiences clash with the roles and expectations of powerful institutions like the monarchy. The slide outlines the theoretical framework combining conversation analysis and pragmatic discourse analysis. For conversation analysis, Oprah uses turn-taking, sequence organization and repair during the interview. For pragmatic discourse analysis, we noticed the tools use are speech act, implicature, presupposition and politeness and facework. These tools help dissect how Meghan and Oprah navigate sensitive topics like racism and institutional expectations, revealing the tension between personal experience and the monarchy's public image..

[Audio] The study uses a qualitative approach, analyzing a mediated transcript that includes non-verbal cues like sighs and laughter, adding depth to the interpretation. It suits the Research Question as it seeks to understand the "why" behind human behaviour and the subjective experiences that shape reality. Ethical considerations are crucial given the sensitive nature of the interview topics and the public status of the subjects. It emphasizes intellectual honesty and non-maleficence, aiming to foster thoughtful discourse without sensationalism or harm..

[Audio] Drawn from data extract, Meghan said "..if you love her, you don't have to hate me." She also mentioned "they really seemed to want a narrative of a hero and a villain." It is an example of media narratives and false polarities. The analysis exposes biases by comparing portrayals of Meghan and Kate, shifting the focus from personal conflicts to the institutional forces shaping public perception, thus revealing how media narratives can distort reality..

[Audio] The second data extract focus on the theme of individual versus institutional control. Meghan stated "..I advocated for so long for women to use their voice, and then I was silent." Oprah's immediate follow-up a powerful reframing: "Were you silent? Or were you silenced? Meghan's response to whether she was silent or silenced reframes her experience as one of institutional suppression rather than personal choice. This pivotal exchange marks a reclaiming of voice and agency, highlighting the power dynamics at play and the struggle to reshape her public narrative..

[Audio] The third data extract "concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born." This addresses racism and institutional fears with Meghan disclosing concerns about her son's skin colour and title. The analysis reveals how these comments expose the underlying racial biases within the monarchy. Oprah's reaction and the couple's silence refusing to name the individual transforms the accusation from a personal one into structural critique suggested that the problem is not a personal prejudice but to systemic institutional racism, emphasizing the broader social implications..

[Audio] The fourth data extract was taken from Prince Harry who introduced the concept of an 'invisible contract' between the monarchy and the tabloids, illustrating hidden power dynamics. This metaphor explains the family's lack of support and fear, framing Harry and Meghan's departure were not as a personal choice but as a rational response to an existential threat. The "contract" is presented as a mechanism of fear-based control that King Charles and Prince William are still 'trapped' within, while Harry's escape is framed as an act of liberation and protection. The analysis highlighted how this dynamic perpetuates cycles of control and public scrutiny, drawing parallels to his mother's experience..

[Audio] This slide compares qualitative discourse analysis with quantitative content analysis. Discourse analysis offers rich, detailed data that can generate new theories from unexpected findings. It also offers a holistic understanding by analyzing the entire conversational interaction, including non-verbal cues, emotional states and contextual factors. Most importantly, it focuses on how language is used to construct reality, revealing the underlying power dynamics and social meanings that a quantitative approach would miss. A pure quantitative approach would flatten the richness of the data and fail to grasp its deeper significance. Quantitative content analysis for example could quantify word frequency but would miss the nuanced, implied racist undertones of the "dark skin" conversation, where the shock is conveyed through a short, powerful word and a pause..

[Audio] The conclusion emphasizes how Meghan and Harry used the interview to reclaim their narrative and challenge institutional racism, mental health stigma and control within powerful systems. Their conversation facilitated by Oprah transformed personal struggles into a public dialogue about fairness and change. The analysis of the interview also gave a wider implications for understanding the power of mediated communication in this digital age. It serves as a compelling case study for how individuals can use their platform to challenge dominant narratives, expose institutional dynamics, and manage their personal and public identities. The themes of racism and the clash between a traditional institution and modern values resonate far beyond the confines of the Royal Family. This highlight a global struggle for representation and accountability..

[Audio] This and the next slide list some of the key academic references that underpin the theoretical and methodological approaches used in the study. It covers pragmatic identity, critical discourse, conversational analysis and media studies, providing a foundation for learners understudying psychology course a rich understanding and complexity of the interplay of language, power and identity in the interview..

[Audio] These sources enrich the study's framework by offering diverse perspectives on language use, social power and mediated celebrity, supporting a comprehensive analysis of the interview's discourse. Thank you for watching this video..